Scholarship applications

How it works

Scholarships are given based on financial needs and merits.

Step 1: Read Requirements and Timelines

To be eligible for the Starlight Scholarship Fund for Girls, you must submit a completed application by the deadline, including all required attachments.

Step 2: Download and Complete Application Form

Download Application form using the button at the end of the Requirements and Timelines section. Using a PDF application, such as Adobe reader, please complete and save downloaded form

Step 3: Submit Completed Form

After completing the application form, email the application along with the requested documents to info@starlightfund.org

Starlight Scholarship Fund for Girls (SSFG)

Scholarship Requirements and Timelines

Scholarship Committee:
The Scholarship Committee consists of members of the board of directors.

Under the leadership of the board chair and in accordance with all the Starlight Scholarship Fund for Girls (SSFG) by-laws, scholarship requirements, and budget, this committee is responsible for promoting, selecting and announcing scholarships.

Scholarship Criteria:
Scholarships shall be given only to first-generation immigrant girls or daughters of first-generation immigrant parents on an annual basis. Scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s school.

Scholarships will only be awarded to applicants living in the District of Columbia, Virginia, or Maryland who are attending accredited public institutions.

Scholarships do not renew automatically. If a student receives a scholarship for one year and wishes to continue receiving a scholarship, she will have to submit a new application.

The SSFG intends to award 10 scholarships of $4,000 each on an annual basis.

Scholarship Requirements for Students:

• High school student: must have graduated or to be graduating soon and be accepted at an accredited in-state college or a community college. An official high school transcript including first semester senior year grades is required.
• College student: must be a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited in-state college. An official transcript with final grades of courses taken in last semester enrolled is required.
• Academic achievement (high school or college student): must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• College acceptance: must provide a copy of the letter of acceptance from the college you plan to attend.
• Letters of recommendation: must provide two letters (one from a school counselor or teacher and one from another adult who is not related to you, for example, another teacher, an employer, troop leader, minister or pastor) and have them email their recommendation letters to sanyay@starlightfund.org
• Maximum income to be eligible: household annual income must not exceed $100,000. Must provide documentations such as FAFSA summary, or the first page of your parent(s) or guardian(s) most recent federal tax return, or other income documentation.
• The candidate: must provide proof of their parent’s immigration status and birth through their immigration documents such as certificate of naturalization or Alien Registration Number, approved petition for asylum, or proof of permanent residency status in the U.S. If the applicant was born outside of the US, she must also provide immigration documents.

Eligibility for our scholarships will be limited to:

• First or second immigrant girls who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher who are accepted to a public institution.
• Residents of the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland.
• Have a household income of $100,000 or less.

Scholarship Deadline and Timeline:

1. Application Opening Date: February 1 of each year.
2. Application Deadline: June 1 of each year.
3. Award Period (Enrollment): 2026-27 school year.
4. Notification and Award Date: June 25 of year.

Additional Information:

• Based on careful consideration, some candidates may be contacted for an interview by a member of the scholarship committee.
• The successful recipients will be asked to participate in our annual fundraising event and other events that support Starlight’s mission. We also ask that she considers having her image and story used on our website and in our social media platforms.

Download Application Form